[rhtwist]

Hello to All,
Can a Model 10-7 be converted to .357 Magnum? Is this advisable, SAFE?
Thanks for any opinions !

rhtwist

[Universal]

No, the cylinder is too short. Even if you shot wadcutters that might somehow fit in the .38, it would be very unsafe to do so. Look for a model 65 which is just like a model 10 but stainless steel and made for the .357 Magnum round.

Hope this helps.

[rhtwist]

Hello Universal,
Thanks for the info. Have access to a Model 10 and was wondering :( . After cleaning for the in-laws I got the bug for a S&W. Seems to currently exceed my pocket! :cuss:

rhtwist

[Universal]

Unless you plan to go hunting, the .38 Special model 10 should serve you well. I am a former police officer and firearms instructor who spend many years trying to find the perfect weapon. My current choice is a S&W model 15 which is the target version of the model 10. I actually prefer fixed sights but the 15 was a good deal. Load it with a good hollow-point like Speer Gold Dot 135 or 125 grain + Ps and you have a great home defense gun. Even if I could, I would never keep a house defense gun loaded with .357 Magnum rounds. Unless you have a bad guy hiding in your fridge or something (in which case you probably should not shoot at him) the .38 Special should be enough to stop almost any threat you might encounter.

If I could own only one gun (which I have at times) it would be a Smith & Wesson K frame like the model 10, 15 etc.

[thatguy]

Over the years many 38s have been reamed for the longer 357 and some guns get away with it while others are very unsafe. I agree that the M10 cylinder is too short. Also, S&W tempered the Magnums for 357 pressure so the 38 cylinder would be unsafe at 357 pressures.

[rhtwist]

What you wrote makes sense. I may have been trying to convince myself to acquire it. Have always been a Colt fan and may have missed some fine firearms. The 10 in question is older and I believe may be better made IMHO than a recent manufacture(1982). Although I haven't been sorry for owning any of the Colts, just couldn't afford them and then an equivalent S&W. Oh the indignanty.
I use the Magsafe 357 in my Python for home. Any opinions on the choice?
Thanks for the info gentlemen!

rhtwist

[Universal]

I will offer up a few more of my opinions. I tried Magsafe ammo before and did not like it. It was very loud, dirty and it was like shooting a muzzleloader with all the smoke. Also, as I mentioned before, I really recommend against using the .357 Magnum for a home defense round. I would never shoot that caliber inside a buidling of any kind. The noise is one issue, the muzzleflash is another. When I first worked patrol the old cops told me to never carry .357 rounds when working after dark due to the muzzleflash. I also think the penetration is an issue. The .357 will travel pretty fast through walls etc. where as a .38 is more likely to stay in whatever it hits.

Now, please keep in mind that I do not claim to be an expert and I respect other people's opinions (most of the time :) ) so you may very well hear others suggest that differently.

I like the .38 +p rounds and I am convinced that you can not go wrong with any modern hollow point made by companies like Speer, Winchester, Remington or Federal.

[rhtwist]

I understand the point you're making. Thanks for your opinion! Been reading about the different views on bullet type, weight and caliber. Getting confused actually.

[Universal]

No problem, I hope that you find some of it useful. With regards to reading about bullet weights etc. it does get confusing and it can drive you crazy. Trust me. My wife was ready to leave I think when I was picking new duty ammo for my old PD. Again, everyone will have different opinions there as well. My attitude is that the big ammo companies do a lot of testing of their products and if they offer it it must work. That might be a somewhat ignorant view but it has not failed me yet. If in doubt pick the middle weight i.e. in the 9mm the most common weights are the 115, 124 and 147 grain. I pick the 124 which is also the "original" bullet weight. In the .45 ACP I like the 230 grain, again which is what the gun was made for. In the .40S&W I liked the results we saw in testing with the 165 grain load which is also the middle ground with 155, 165 and 180 being the most common options. Now in the .38 Special and .357 Magnum the original weight was 158 grain bullets which some still consider the only choice. For stopping a human, the 125 grain loads in both calibers seem to have a good track record.

Anyway, I will stop now. Feel free to PM me as well if you have any further questions you think I can help you with.

[Brian Williams]

I also like the new 135gr for 38 spec. but I use my S&W 13 in 357 for my HD handgun and as a back up to my 642 for carry.

[rhtwist]

Thank you Gentlemen for the suggestions and testimonials. Quite helpful!

rhtwist